Introverted and Intuitive (INFP)

Why are the Muslims so ... radical ??

Well, aside from the fact that the British stirred up religion to get the Arabs to fight in World War II and afterwards to provide a natural buffer to Communism, Islam is the world's newest religion, of the major religions.

The Muslim religion is 1395 years old,

Christianity was founded in 0 CE, Judaism well before that, also Buddhism and Hinduism. The Muslim religion, founded in 610 CE [date varies slightly] is the new kid on the block. Religions mature just like wine and people.

What was happening in the Christian religion (in "Christendom") when Christianity was 1395 years old? That's how old the Muslim religion is, 1395 years old.

Here's an interesting timeline gleaned from pbs that leads up to the 1395 CE timeframe so you can get a sense of developing trends.

ALBERTUS MAGNUS (1206-1280)
[The teacher of Thomas Aquinas. In the tradition of Pythagoras, emphasized the essential unity of science and mysticism.]

THOMAS AQUINAS, Saint (1224-1275)
[Dominican monk and the greatest Catholic theologian and philosopher. Late in life, he had a mystical experience which caused him to question his scholastic past. Works: Summa Theologica, De Anima, others.]

ECKHART, MEISTER (1260-1327/8)
[Dominican monk. One of the most important early German speculative mystics and the first of the so-called "Rhineland" mystics. His Sermons were in German, the academic works in Latin. Works: Sermons, Parisian Questions and Prologues. Selections in English are available. Influenced by Pseudo-Dionysius.]

The Italian poet Dante Alighieri begins The Divine Comedy, a complex poem of an imaginary journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise, in 1307.

King Philip the Fair of France orders that Pope Boniface VIII be forced to stand trial over the issue of papal supremacy. Boniface is seized and taken to Rome, where he dies humiliated just weeks later.

The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, a military order established in 1113, purchases the island of Rhodes in 1306. The order remains there until 1522.

Jews are expelled from France and England in 1306.

Philip the Fair of France seizes the phenomenal wealth of the Knights Templar, justifying his actions with falsified charges against the military order.

The Babylonian Captivity that witnesses the transfer of the papal seat from Rome to Avignon, France, begins in 1309 when anarchy seizes Rome and many in the city turn against Pope Clement V. The papacy remains in Avignon until 1377.

Under pressure from Philip the Fair, Jacques de Molay, the Grand Master of France's Knights Templar, is charged with heresy. He is convicted and burned at the stake in 1314.

Pope John XXII canonizes the famous Dominican theologian Thomas Aquinas in 1323.

In 1338, the Diet of Frankfort issues Licet juris, which decrees that the Holy Roman Emperor may be chosen without papal participation.

The Dialogues of William of Occam lays the foundation for modern theories on separation of church and state.

1348 Bubonic Plague

In 1378, the Great Schism begins in the western Church as two men, Popes Urban VI and Clement VII, create competing papacies in Rome and Avignon, respectively. It will last until 1417.

The Babylonian Captivity ends in 1377 when Pope Gregory XI returns the papacy to Rome.

As Spaniards seek to find the blame for the Black Death, many turn against the country's Jews. Seville and Barcelona experience pogroms in 1391. Many Spanish Jews convert to Christianity in the next few years.

In 1409, in an attempt to end the Great Schism, the Council of Pisa deposes both popes (Gregory XII in Rome and Benedict XII in Avignon) and elects Peter Philarges, who will reign as Alexander V.

The Great Schism that began in 1378 ends in 1417 when the Council of Constance deposes the three rival popes and elects as pope Otto Colonna, who will reign as Martin V.

Thomas à Kempis writes his Imitation of Christ, which, with the exception of the Bible, will be the most widely read book in Europe for the next 100 years.

On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc is burned at the stake in the Old Market Square in Rouen after being found guilty of treason against God.

By 1441, African slaves are sold in the markets of Lisbon, Portugal. A trade is established that will, in the next five centuries, transport millions of African slaves to Europe and the Americas.

LUTHER, MARTIN (1483-1546)
[A well-known antipathy to mystics, but a foundation for mystical life in his theology of the heart, particularly in his early thought. Influences: Augustine, Theologica Germanica.

TERESA of AVILA (1515-1582)
[Spanish Carmelite nun. Formed the Discalced (Barefoot) Carmelites, with St. John of the Cross. Is very important for describing the stages of the mystical journey. Influenced by Augustine. Works: Life, by Herself; The Way of Perfection; The Interior Castle.]

[Source: history channel timeline]